Why kitchen quotes are hard to compare
Unlike buying a product with a fixed spec, kitchen quotes are for a bespoke service with dozens of variables. Two quotes for "the same kitchen" can differ by $10,000 and both be accurate — because they're not actually quoting the same kitchen. Scope, material specifications, and trade inclusions differ in ways that aren't always obvious from the front page total.
What a complete kitchen quote should include
- Supply and installation of all cabinetry (with specific material and finish specified)
- Benchtop supply, fabrication, and installation (with material, thickness, and edge profile specified)
- Splashback supply and installation
- Plumbing work (reconnection of sink, dishwasher, and any relocation)
- Electrical work (powerpoints, under-cabinet lighting, appliance connections)
- Appliance installation (even if you supply the appliances separately)
- Demolition and waste removal
- Site protection and cleaning
- A specific list of what is excluded
The "by others" trap
When a quote says electrical "by others" or plumbing "by others," it means you're paying for those trades separately — they're not in the bottom line. A quote with all trades included at $32,000 may be better value than one at $26,000 where you're still organising a plumber and electrician at your own cost.
How to make quotes comparable
The only way to properly compare quotes is to give every provider the same brief — the same floor plan, the same specified materials, the same scope of work. If you've had quotes come back at very different figures without a clear material explanation, go back to each provider with a standardised brief and ask them to requote.
PC items — what they mean and why they matter
PC (provisional cost) items are budget placeholders in a quote, not fixed prices. Common PC items include appliances, stone benchtops (before templating), and glazier work. They are estimates of what the builder expects to spend — but you may spend more or less.
Ask every provider to clarify what is a firm price and what is a PC. Add 15–20% to PC items when comparing total project costs to avoid getting caught by variations.
Reading the payment schedule
A standard payment schedule for a kitchen renovation might be: deposit on signing (10–20%), progress payment on cabinet installation, balance on completion. Be cautious of quotes that ask for more than 30% upfront — this creates risk for you if the project stalls.
Questions to ask every provider before accepting a quote
- What is the exact material and finish specification for the cabinetry?
- Is benchtop templating and installation included at this price?
- Are trades (plumber, electrician) included or "by others"?
- What happens if you find unexpected conditions during demolition?
- What is your variation process and how are variation costs calculated?
- What is the warranty on your work and the materials supplied?
- Can you provide references from similar projects in the past 12 months?